Homo Deus as Utopian Myth - Yuval Noah Harari’s Transhumanism Contested

Oct 22, 2026

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This essay critically examines Yuval Noah Harari’s transhumanist vision, treating it as a mythic and utopian framework rather than a neutral forecast of the future. Harari’s portrayal is analyzed through how myth replaces older beliefs, aiming to transform human nature and realize an eschaton in worldly life. The article outlines Harari’s proposed enhancements to cognition, physical life, and emotion, alongside immortality and moral perfection, then evaluates the philosophical and cultural stakes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Humanism and Transhumanism

Transhumanism as a mythic replacement

ARTICLES Homo Deus as Utopian Myth: Yuval Noah Harari’s Transhumanism Contested Jan C. Bentz1 1 Blackfriars, University of Oxford Keywords: Yuval Noah Harari, Transhumanism, Utopia, Myth, secular eschaton, Eric Voegelin, Thomas Molnar [https://doi.org/10.54669/001c.129465](https://doi.org/10.54669/001c.129465) Journal of Religion, Culture & Democracy This essay critically examines the transhumanist vision of Yuval Noah Harari, focusing on its underlying mythological and utopian elements. Harari’s portrayal of humanity’s future is analyzed through the lens of myth, as it replaces one set of beliefs with another, and it is viewed as utopian, since it aims to radically transform human nature and manifest the eschaton within the worldly realm. The essay highlights key aspects of Harari’s transhumanist thought and its philosophical foundations, emphasizing his proposed enhancements in cognitive, physical, and emotional realms, along with the pursuit of immortality and moral perfection. Introduction Yuval Noah Harari’s work, particularly Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, has captivated global audiences with its provocative visions of the future. Harari forecasts the evolution of humanity into godlike beings through the fusion of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and data-driven control systems. His sweeping narratives have stirred both awe and criticism, prompting serious debates in academic, political, and popular circles. Yet, provocative and popular books abound. Why, then, is Harari specifically worth engaging? Is his thinking compelling enough to warrant sustained critique, or is his vision so inherently crude and uncritical that sustained analysis seems fruitless? First, it is important to acknowledge Harari’s unique ability to popularize complex historical, scientific, and philosophical ideas. His blending of history, futurism, and myth evidently resonates with a broad readership. This influence alone makes his work relevant for engagement. Ideas that shape public consciousness cannot be dismissed without examination. Harari’s concept of godlike humanity, while seemingly vague, touches on enduring questions about human nature, progress, and ethics that have long been central to philosophical discourse. He writes,“We are now learning to engineer bodies, brains, and minds. The main products of the twenty-first century will not be shoes, textiles, and vehicles, but bodies, brains, and minds” (Harari 2017, 34) . Such grand proclamations demand scrutiny because they challenge fundamental assumptions about the future of humanity, self-determination, and power. Second, despite the apparent crudeness or vagueness of Harari’s vision, it is precisely this mythic quality that necessitates further critique. Harari reworks traditional narratives of human progress into a transhumanist framework where technology replaces divine providence and algorithms replace human agency. Critics such as John Gray have argued that Harari’s transhumanist future is a new myth, replacing the old religious visions of transcendence with a faith in technological salvation (Gray 2016) . This shift from humanism to techno-humanism is not merely a historical observation but an ideological battleground where the stakes are high: the future of freedom, morality, and what it means to be human—in short, everything that is transcendent. It is crucial that we engage with Harari’s mythic thinking because, while his vision may appear self-evidently flawed to some, it is dangerously seductive to others, presenting an uncritical view of technological progress as inevitable and benign. Finally, Harari’s ideas have sparked significant engagement across various fields, from philosophy and theology to bioethics and political theory. Popular philosophers like Slavoj Žižek have criticized techno-utopianism for its failure to address the deeper questions of human suffering and meaning (Žižek 2018) . Theologians have expressed concern over his

FAQs

Why does the article focus on transhumanism in Harari’s work?

The article argues that Harari’s transhumanist future is fundamentally mythic and utopian, replacing traditional religious worldviews with a technological-secular alternative.

How does the essay describe the role of myth in Harari’s vision?

It contends that transhumanism functions as myth by substituting older beliefs with faith in technological salvation, including algorithmic control replacing human agency.

What are the main goals of Harari’s proposed transhumanist enhancements?

The essay highlights enhancements in cognitive, physical, and emotional realms, together with aspirations for immortality and moral perfection.

Oct 22, 2026

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